{"id":384795,"date":"2026-03-11T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T04:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-most-unusual-lake\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T14:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T04:01:00","slug":"a-most-unusual-lake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=384795","title":{"rendered":"A Most Unusual Lake"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" 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href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=1187&#038;h=907&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1187\" height=\"907\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=1187&#038;h=907&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The image is centered on Anuchin and Ober-See glaciers in Antarctica. They appear as bright white patches separated by brown rocky ridges. Both glaciers have ice-covered meltwater lakes draining from their termini. Lake Unter-See is the larger of the two lakes.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=1187&#038;h=907&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1187w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=300&#038;h=229&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=768&#038;h=587&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=782&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=400&#038;h=306&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=600&#038;h=458&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216.jpg?w=900&#038;h=688&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1187px) 100vw, 1187px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">February 16, 2026<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Scientists estimate that Earth is home to more than <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/2014GL060641\" rel=\"noopener\">100 million lakes<\/a>. Among the most unusual is Lake Unter-See, one of Antarctica\u2019s largest and deepest surface lakes, known for its distinctive water chemistry. Its ice-covered waters have exceptionally high levels of dissolved oxygen, low dissolved carbon dioxide, and a strongly alkaline <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/media\/images\/ph-scale\" rel=\"noopener\">(basic) pH<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/oli\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OLI<\/a> (Operational Land Imager) on <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-9\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 9<\/a> captured this image on February 16, 2026, during the Antarctic summer. Most of the lake\u2019s water comes from seasonal meltwater draining from the margins of the nearby Anuchin Glacier, which flows south from the Gruber Mountains in Queen Maud Land.<\/p>\n<p>With mean annual temperatures of about minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit), Lake Unter-See remains frozen year-round, its waters sealed beneath several meters of ice. Sunlight penetrates the ice and warms the water below, but the cold surface and strong winds drive evaporation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/water-science-school\/science\/sublimation-and-water-cycle\" rel=\"noopener\">sublimation<\/a>, preventing significant surface melting. The lake\u2019s maximum depth is thought to reach nearly 170 meters (558 feet).<\/p>\n<p>The lake\u2019s water chemistry is unusual partly because it is one of the only perennially frozen lakes with a community of large, conical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bushheritage.org.au\/species\/stromatolites?srsltid=AfmBOooC9ThCbA6HfDJmt6Mvnkd1a1dNwYB4h7OZkj3bG_l0b8dlU_Y6\" rel=\"noopener\">stromatolites<\/a>. The layered microbial reef structures grow slowly upward as photosynthetic microbes\u2014primarily <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebsco.com\/research-starters\/science\/stromatolites#:~:text=cyanobacteria\" rel=\"noopener\">cyanobacteria<\/a>\u2014trap sediment on their sticky surfaces and form calcium carbonate mineral crusts. These conical stromatolites\u2014as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fmicb.2020.607251\" rel=\"noopener\">pinnacle and flat forms<\/a> of the microbial communities\u2014release oxygen that becomes trapped under the ice, increasing its concentration in the lake.<\/p>\n<p>Lake Unter-See\u2019s stromatolites, <a href=\"https:\/\/astrobiology.com\/2011\/04\/astrobiologists-discover-strange-benthic-microbial-mats-in-lake-untersee-antarctica.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/astrobiology.com\/2011\/04\/astrobiologists-discover-strange-benthic-microbial-mats-in-lake-untersee-antarctica.html\" rel=\"noopener\">discovered<\/a> by SETI geobiologist Dale Andersen and colleagues in 2011, offer a glimpse into a time more than 3 billion years ago, when microbes were the only form of life on Earth. The formations are thought to be modern, living examples of the organisms that likely produced some of Earth\u2019s oldest fossils\u2014stromatolites found in places such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nature19355\" rel=\"noopener\">southwestern Greenland<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/284443a0\" rel=\"noopener\">western Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module aligncenter wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">The scientists noted that similar periodic flooding may provide &#8220;biological stimuli to other carbon dioxide-depleted Antarctic ecosystems and perhaps even icy lakes on early Mars.\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Some Antarctic lakes, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/gbi.12138\" rel=\"noopener\">Lake Joyce<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/photojournal\/dry-valleys-antarctica\/\" rel=\"noopener\">McMurdo Dry Valleys<\/a>, contain conical stromatolites, but they reach only a few centimeters tall. By contrast, the formations in Lake Unter-See tower up to half a meter. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1472-4669.2011.00279.x\" rel=\"noopener\">Scientists think<\/a> Unter-See\u2019s stromatolites grow unusually tall because they are sheltered from tides and waves beneath permanent ice, live in exceptionally clear waters with little sediment, grow toward limited light, and face little grazing. The lake\u2019s largest creatures are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/animals\/invertebrates\/facts\/tardigrades-water-bears\" rel=\"noopener\">tardigrades<\/a>\u2014microscopic \u201cwater bear\u201d invertebrates known for their ability to survive in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/how-water-bears-evolved-their-superpower\" rel=\"noopener\">extreme environments<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Astrobiologists also point to the lake as a possible analog for the type of environment where life might have formed or survived on icy moons with oceans such as <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/jupiter\/jupiter-moons\/europa\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Europa<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/saturn\/moons\/enceladus\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Enceladus<\/a><strong>,<\/strong> or perhaps on Mars, which has <a href=\"https:\/\/marsed.asu.edu\/mep\/ice\/polar-caps\" rel=\"noopener\">ice caps<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antarcticglaciers.org\/glacial-geology\/glaciers-on-other-planets\/types-of-glaciers-on-mars\/\" rel=\"noopener\">glaciers<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Yet despite its seemingly stable conditions, Lake Unter-See occasionally experiences abrupt changes. During fieldwork in 2019, researchers observed an increase in the lake\u2019s water levels. The team, led by scientists at the University of Ottawa, <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43247-021-00280-x\" rel=\"noopener\">later analyzed<\/a> elevation data from NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/icesat-2\/\" rel=\"noopener\">ICESat-2<\/a> (Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2) and confirmed a 2-meter rise was caused by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antarcticglaciers.org\/glaciers-and-climate\/glacier-hazards\/glacial-lake-outburst-floods\/\" rel=\"noopener\">glacial lake outburst flood<\/a> from nearby Lake Ober-See.<\/p>\n<p>The University of Ottawa team also showed that the outburst flood had released 17.5 million cubic meters of meltwater, altering Unter-See\u2019s pH and replenishing it with carbon dioxide-rich waters that likely enhanced the productivity of the lake\u2019s microbial life. The scientists noted that similar periodic flooding may provide \u201cbiological stimuli to other carbon dioxide-depleted Antarctic ecosystems and perhaps even icy lakes on early Mars.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p><em>NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/earthexplorer.usgs.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em> <em>Story by Adam Voiland. <\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 role=\"textbox\" class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"4769\" height=\"3742\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=4769&#038;h=3742&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"The image is centered on Anuchin and Ober-See glaciers in Antarctica. They appear as bright white patches separated by brown rocky ridges. Both glaciers have ice-covered meltwater lakes draining from their termini. Lake Unter-See is the larger of the two lakes.\" style=\"transform: scale(2); transform-origin: 42% 45%; object-position: 42% 45%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=4769&#038;h=3742&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 4769w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=235&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=603&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=803&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1205&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1607&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=314&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=471&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=706&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=942&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1569&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4769px) 100vw, 4769px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">February 16, 2026<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (8.91 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-most-unusual-lake\/lakeuntersee_oli2_20260216_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References &#038; Resources <\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Andersen, D.T., <em>et al.<\/em> (2011) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1472-4669.2011.00279.x\" rel=\"noopener\">Discovery of large conical stromatolites in Lake Untersee, Antarctica<\/a>. <em>Geobiology<\/em>, 9(3), 280-293.<\/li>\n<li>Astrobiology (2026) <a href=\"https:\/\/astrobiology.com\/tag\/dale-andersens-field-reports\" rel=\"noopener\">Dale Andersen\u2019s Field Reports<\/a>. Accessed March 10, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Austrian Polar Research Institute (2023, May 22) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.polarresearch.at\/glacier-shapes-unique-antarctic-lake-ecosystem\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Glacier shapes unique Antarctic lake ecosystem<\/a>. Accessed March 10, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Extinct (2025, June 1) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.extinctblog.org\/extinct\/2025\/6\/1\/from-stromatolites-to-martian-leopard-spots-reconstructing-early-life-and-its-environment\" rel=\"noopener\">From Stromatolites to Martian Leopard Spots: Circumstantial Traces and the Reconstruction of Early Life<\/a>. Accessed March 10, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Faucher, B<em>., et al.<\/em> (2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43247-021-00280-x\" rel=\"noopener\">Glacial lake outburst floods enhance benthic microbial productivity in perennially ice-covered Lake Untersee (East Antarctica).<\/a> <em>Communications Earth &#038; Environment, <\/em>2, 211.<\/li>\n<li>Greco, C. <em>et al.<\/em> (2020) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fmicb.2020.607251\" rel=\"noopener\">Microbial Diversity of Pinnacle and Conical Microbial Mats in the Perennially Ice-Covered Lake Untersee, East Antarctica<\/a>. <em>Frontiers in Microbiology<\/em>, 11(607251).<\/li>\n<li>NASA Earth Observatory (2006, June 18) <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/strelley-pool-chert-and-early-life-6664\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Strelley Pool Chert and Early Life<\/a>. Accessed March 10, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>SETI (2026, February 26) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seti.org\/news\/dale-andersen-antarctic-field-season-18-19-february-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Dale Andersen\u2019s Antarctic Field Season 18-19 February<\/a>. Accessed March 10, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Verpoorter, C., <em>et al.<\/em> (2014) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/2014GL060641\" rel=\"noopener\">A global inventory of lakes based on high-resolution satellite imagery<\/a>. <em>Geophysical Research Letters, <\/em>41(18), 6396-6402.<\/li>\n<li>Vimercati, L. <a href=\"https:\/\/laravimercati.weebly.com\/lake-untersee-antarctica.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Lake Untersee, Queen Maud Land, Antarctica<\/a>. Accessed March 10, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-6db5bc08-3c1e-4b10-a079-e783369f753c\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" 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class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\" style=\"display: block\">\n<div id=\"filter-tags\" class=\"grid-col-12 filter-tags-container\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"smd-orbit-loader\" role=\"status\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"orbit-plane\"><span class=\"orbit-dot\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-list-container\" class=\"hds-content-items hds-content-items-grid margin-top-2\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-rest-url=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/smd\/v1\/content-list\">\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/lake-eyre-blushes\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2025\/lake-eyre-blushes\/redgreenlakeeyre_oli_20251215_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2025\/lake-eyre-blushes\/redgreenlakeeyre_oli_20251215_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/lake-eyre-blushes\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Lake Eyre Blushes<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Rounding out a remarkable year, the outback lake displayed distinct green and reddish water in its two main bays.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/cooper-creek-replenishes-lake-eyre-154803\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/imagerecords\/154000\/154803\/coopercreek_tmo_20250620.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/imagerecords\/154000\/154803\/coopercreek_tmo_20250620.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/cooper-creek-replenishes-lake-eyre-154803\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Cooper Creek Replenishes Lake Eyre<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Another major tributary reached the Australian outback lake in 2025, extending the months-long flood of the vast, ephemeral inland sea.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/finding-freshwater-in-great-salt-lake\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/finding-freshwater-in-great-salt-lake-\/utahphragmitemounds_oli2_20250913_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/finding-freshwater-in-great-salt-lake-\/utahphragmitemounds_oli2_20250913_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/finding-freshwater-in-great-salt-lake\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Finding Freshwater in Great Salt Lake<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    4 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Reed-covered mounds exposed by declining water levels reveal an unexpected network of freshwater springs that feed directly into the lake\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"pagination-container\" class=\"pagination\">\n<nav class=\"hds-pagination hds-pagination--content-lists\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Pagination Navigation\" data-mid-size=\"2\" data-end-size=\"1\" data-max-pages=\"4\" >\n<span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\" aria-label=\"Current Page, Page 1\" aria-current=\"true\" data-page-number=\"1\"><br \/>\n<span>1<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-most-unusual-lake\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 2\" data-page-number=\"2\"><br \/>\n<span>2<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-most-unusual-lake\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 3\" data-page-number=\"3\"><br \/>\n<span>3<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-most-unusual-lake\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 4\" data-page-number=\"4\"><br \/>\n<span>4<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"next page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-most-unusual-lake\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Next Page\" data-page-number=\"2\">Next<\/a><br \/>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" 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mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"585\" height=\"425\" 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loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2500w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, 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https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1536&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Science Data<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Open access to NASA\u2019s archive of Earth science data<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png 3600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=768,384 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1024,512 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1536,768 1536w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=2048,1024 2048w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=400,200 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=600,300 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=900,450 900w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1200,600 1200w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=2000,1000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lake Unter-See in Antarctica, sealed beneath thick ice, contains unusually high levels of dissolved oxygen and cone-shaped microbial reefs resembling some of Earth\u2019s oldest fossils.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16009,16994,17377,19151,19748,19017,15963],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-384795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-astrobiology","category-earth-observatory","category-ice-glaciers","category-landsat-9","category-planetary-analogs","category-surface-water","category-water-on-earth"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=384795"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":384796,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384795\/revisions\/384796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=384795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=384795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=384795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}